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Help please. Very close to throwing it all onto eBay.

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August 12, 2014 3:05:34 PM

Hello,

So for reasons that I still cannot fathom, my stupid stupid brain decided to waste £550 on yet another piece of crap PC. And naturally, I am immediately stricken with issues way beyond my comprehension and after many hours of searching for solutions I have given up, to the extent that I may well just throw the lot on eBay and get a PS4, because at least it won't make me want to bludgeon my face against a wall.

The first problem; I cannot install windows onto my new 120gb SSD hard drive. When I boot my computer the screen is blank until windows loads up, so I cannot get into the BIOS, I cannot see anything at all until windows loads. Does anyone know why this might be? And please please, don't recommend that I 'update drivers', if I had a pound tonight for every comment stating ' try updating your drivers' I would be a booking 3 weeks in the Caribbean first thing in the morning.

The next problem; I cannot put my resolution to any higher than 1024x768. There is just no option there.

Any solutions? Anywhere?

I already know that the answer is no but thanks for your help.

Apologies if I come across angry, but try to understand what it feels like when you've just blown a huge sum of money on something that actively makes you want to eat glass and jump out of your window.

I hate computers.... (sorry)

More about : close throwing ebay

August 12, 2014 3:06:51 PM

Any info on your pc specs will be useful.
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August 12, 2014 3:06:53 PM

Oh, my specs:

i7 4790k
8gb Ram (one stick)
Windows 7 ultimate
GTX 560 ti (short term until I can afford something better - well that was the plan)
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August 12, 2014 3:08:15 PM

Motherboard?
I assume you have a 1080p monitor and i assume that you have your monitor connected to your 560Ti.
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August 12, 2014 3:12:21 PM

Suztera said:
Motherboard?
I assume you have a 1080p monitor and i assume that you have your monitor connected to your 560Ti.


I just picked you as the solution by accident, i'm very tired.

Yes, the motherboard is ASUS Maximus VII Ranger

And yes, the monitor is 1080p (i've used it for several years) and yes, it is connected to the monitor.
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August 12, 2014 3:13:17 PM

What happens if you boot up without the HDD connected? You could also try mashing F2 and DEL on startup, that might take you to BIOS, so it's worth a shot.
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August 12, 2014 3:17:35 PM

Eduello said:
What happens if you boot up without the HDD connected? You could also try mashing F2 and DEL on startup, that might take you to BIOS, so it's worth a shot.


If I do it without the non SSD hdd then it does the same thing. I haven't tried it disconnecting the SSD, i'll do that.

And yeah, I tried hitting F2 and delete but the screen remained blank. It didnt get to windows so presumably it went to the BIOS but I just couldnt see it.
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August 12, 2014 3:17:43 PM

Your motherboard has a direct BIOS button which you may want to try.
If you don't use your gpu but the integrated graphics, is there visual on the monitor?
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August 12, 2014 3:20:29 PM

Suztera said:
Your motherboard has a direct BIOS button which you may want to try.
If you don't use your gpu but the integrated graphics, is there visual on the monitor?


no there is still nothing on the screen.
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August 12, 2014 3:24:11 PM

jjj90 said:
Suztera said:
Your motherboard has a direct BIOS button which you may want to try.
If you don't use your gpu but the integrated graphics, is there visual on the monitor?


no there is still nothing on the screen.


Try unplugging the graphics card from the PC, and then plugging the monitor into one of the motherboard's display outputs.
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August 12, 2014 3:34:41 PM

Hi,

First thing, unplugg all other drive and just keep the SSD, try to install windows.
If the installation goes through and then, when, if you get blank screen , logo then blank screen or blinking cursor.
You might need to boot on the disk, repair, and then go to dos and do a bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot (dunno why bot if installation detected windows on other HD, it screwes up MBR for other disks.)

Then for the resolution problem, if you boot in windows normal mode and can't get higher resolution, it means you need to install driver for GPU or your GPU has problems.



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August 13, 2014 1:00:18 AM

dextermat said:
Hi,

First thing, unplugg all other drive and just keep the SSD, try to install windows.
If the installation goes through and then, when, if you get blank screen , logo then blank screen or blinking cursor.
You might need to boot on the disk, repair, and then go to dos and do a bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot (dunno why bot if installation detected windows on other HD, it screwes up MBR for other disks.)

Then for the resolution problem, if you boot in windows normal mode and can't get higher resolution, it means you need to install driver for GPU or your GPU has problems.





With SSD only I get nothing. With GPU removed I get nothing.
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August 13, 2014 1:01:20 AM

dextermat said:
Hi,

First thing, unplugg all other drive and just keep the SSD, try to install windows.
If the installation goes through and then, when, if you get blank screen , logo then blank screen or blinking cursor.
You might need to boot on the disk, repair, and then go to dos and do a bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot (dunno why bot if installation detected windows on other HD, it screwes up MBR for other disks.)

Then for the resolution problem, if you boot in windows normal mode and can't get higher resolution, it means you need to install driver for GPU or your GPU has problems.





I can't boot from disc because the screen in blank.
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August 13, 2014 1:07:08 AM

I've tried it with the SSD only, I get nothing.
Without the SSD, I get nothing.
Without the GPU, I get nothing.
With the GPU, I can get to windows but can't set the correct resolution.
With AV cables, nothing.
With HD cables, nothing.
I've changed the slot that the RAM was in, nothing.
I've tried booting from disc, nothing.
I've tried entering the BIOS, nothing.

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August 13, 2014 1:11:34 AM

sounds driver/gpu related....heck pull battery/clr CMOS on your Mobo that would hopefully bring up BIOS...

Windows 8? hibernation/fast boot issue? it won't let you in BIOS I know ran into that before turn off all fast boot stuff...just normal boot up/display
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August 13, 2014 1:25:08 AM

JRFET said:
sounds driver/gpu related....heck pull battery/clr CMOS on your Mobo that would hopefully bring up BIOS...

Windows 8? hibernation/fast boot issue? it won't let you in BIOS I know ran into that before turn off all fast boot stuff...just normal boot up/display


I can't even see a battery on this motherboard.
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August 13, 2014 1:38:09 AM

Forget it guys, I give up.
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August 13, 2014 2:41:14 AM

Reset the BIOS. Can't even get to Windows now. Red Light shows on motherboard saying 'boot_device_led', no-one on the planet seems to want to divulge what this might mean.

This is the last time I will ever WASTE money on a PC, what a complete waste of time. I researched every part for hours, you get the thing, put it together, and you've got nothing more than a lump of metal sat in the corner.

Extremely angry.
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August 13, 2014 2:46:25 AM

Try updating/ reflashing the BIOS on the motherboard using USB Flashback.
http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/usb_bios_flashback_guide/

Get the BIOS from here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_RANGER/Hel...

Select DOS from the list on Drivers and tool tab.
Choose BIOS version: MAXIMUS VII RANGER BIOS 1003
and download this as well: Bios Renamer for USB BIOS Flashback and Crashfree BIOS 2.


Put both files into the same folder on a USB.
Run the utility and a BIOS file will be created.
Use that BIOS file to update the BIOS.
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August 13, 2014 2:49:33 AM

have you tried to on 1 ram module/stick?
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August 13, 2014 2:51:12 AM

JRFET said:
have you tried to on 1 ram module/stick?


it is one stick. I tried my old ram too, it didn't make any difference.
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August 13, 2014 2:53:21 AM

BIOS/mobo faulty?
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August 13, 2014 2:58:17 AM

Suztera said:
Try updating/ reflashing the BIOS on the motherboard using USB Flashback.
http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/usb_bios_flashback_guide/

Get the BIOS from here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_RANGER/Hel...

Select DOS from the list on Drivers and tool tab.
Choose BIOS version: MAXIMUS VII RANGER BIOS 1003
and download this as well: Bios Renamer for USB BIOS Flashback and Crashfree BIOS 2.


Put both files into the same folder on a USB.
Run the utility and a BIOS file will be created.
Use that BIOS file to update the BIOS.


Thank you, I will try, but I have virtually no expectations.
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August 13, 2014 4:01:39 AM

Suztera said:
Try updating/ reflashing the BIOS on the motherboard using USB Flashback.
http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/usb_bios_flashback_guide/

Get the BIOS from here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_RANGER/Hel...

Select DOS from the list on Drivers and tool tab.
Choose BIOS version: MAXIMUS VII RANGER BIOS 1003
and download this as well: Bios Renamer for USB BIOS Flashback and Crashfree BIOS 2.


Put both files into the same folder on a USB.
Run the utility and a BIOS file will be created.
Use that BIOS file to update the BIOS.


It helped in that I can get to Windows now, so thanks for that. But the screen is still blank until Windows loads up, so I cannot install Windwos on my SSD, and I still can't get a better resolution making it pretty much useless when it comes to games. I presume these two issues are linked.

Any suggestions?

Dunno if it helps but my monitor is recogniesd only as 'generic non-pnp monitor'. Could it be an issue with the monitor? This monitor suddenly stopped working dual screen with my laptop a few months ago and I could never set it up again. However I know it works fine as it has a picture now (in 1024x768) and I use if for my PS3 and Wii U.
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August 13, 2014 4:03:19 AM

What monitor?
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August 13, 2014 4:16:26 AM

This is the monitor:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/24-inch-VH242H-Gaming-Monitor-B...

But there has been a development; I have hooked my pc to my hd tv, on that TV it gets the correct resolution. Also the screen isn't blank when I reset it. So it must be an issue with compatibility?
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August 13, 2014 4:25:59 AM

no it should run on that monitor fine unless something wrong with the monitor....did you try both HDMI and DVI?

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August 13, 2014 4:57:03 AM

JRFET said:
no it should run on that monitor fine unless something wrong with the monitor....did you try both HDMI and DVI?



I haven't tried a DVI, I have a dvi-hdmi cable, that is what I have always used with this monitor, it worked perfectly for several years with my old PC.

I've installed my SSD at least. But it still won't get a reasonable resolution. It recognizes the display as:

'Generic Non-PnP Monitor on Standard VGA Graphics Adapter'.
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August 13, 2014 5:01:59 AM

jjj90 said:
JRFET said:
no it should run on that monitor fine unless something wrong with the monitor....did you try both HDMI and DVI?



I haven't tried a DVI, I have a dvi-hdmi cable, that is what I have always used with this monitor, it worked perfectly for several years with my old PC.

I've installed my SSD at least. But it still won't get a reasonable resolution. It recognizes the display as:

'Generic Non-PnP Monitor on Standard VGA Graphics Adapter'.


That really sounds like you don't have the drivers from Nvidia's site.
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August 13, 2014 5:11:15 AM

Eduello said:
jjj90 said:
JRFET said:
no it should run on that monitor fine unless something wrong with the monitor....did you try both HDMI and DVI?



I haven't tried a DVI, I have a dvi-hdmi cable, that is what I have always used with this monitor, it worked perfectly for several years with my old PC.

I've installed my SSD at least. But it still won't get a reasonable resolution. It recognizes the display as:

'Generic Non-PnP Monitor on Standard VGA Graphics Adapter'.


That really sounds like you don't have the drivers from Nvidia's site.


I agree, it does. Only I did download the drivers. I also have the disc that came with the card. I'll try again and cross my fingers I suppose.
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August 13, 2014 5:40:28 AM

So I think my computer is just mocking me now. I installed the drivers through the TV screen, then attached the cable to my monitor whilst the system was on - for the first time it let me have a 1920x1080 resolution, only the colour was all wrong so I reset, when Windows had loaded back up, I could no longer set the resolution to 1920x1080!

Any more suggestions...?
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August 13, 2014 5:46:49 AM

Would installing the most recent driver help? I've installed the one off the disc which is several years old.
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August 13, 2014 5:50:27 AM

jjj90 said:
Would installing the most recent driver help? I've installed the one off the disc which is several years old.


Yes installing the GeForce 340.52 WHQL driver would be ideal.
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August 13, 2014 5:52:57 AM

Suztera said:
jjj90 said:
Would installing the most recent driver help? I've installed the one off the disc which is several years old.


Yes installing the GeForce 340.52 WHQL driver would be ideal.


Done. No change.
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August 13, 2014 5:56:43 AM

I'm completely out if ideas now.
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August 13, 2014 6:53:03 AM

Have you been able to try DVI - DVI, if not, could you. If you have another HDMI cable could you also try that. Im wondering if there is something faulty with either the HDMI input/output or the cable.
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August 13, 2014 7:24:39 AM

KalTorak said:
Have you been able to try DVI - DVI, if not, could you. If you have another HDMI cable could you also try that. Im wondering if there is something faulty with either the HDMI input/output or the cable.


I haven't tried DVI to DVI because I have no idea where my cable is, however I have tried multiple HDMI cables. As well as removing the GPU and going straight through the motherboard; none of this worked.

I have just set up a custom resolution, this might work. it looks okay.
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August 13, 2014 9:14:28 AM

Custom resolution works but it can't be a long term fix, every time I start my PC up again I have to set it up again. And there's still nothing to be seen before windows loads up - so if ever I want to get into the bios I'll have to take it downstairs and plug it into the TV. So this case certainly is not closed yet, to use a pun.
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!